Brine-retaining valve for refrigerator-car tanks



G. F. LAUGHLIN. n mNE RUNNING mv: ros Remmen/non cAn mms.

APPLICATION EILED FEB. 5| |911- 1,364,506.

Patented Jam 4,1921

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. LAUGHLIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

REINE-RETAINING VALVE FOR REFRIGERATOR-CAR TANKS.

Application led February 5, 1917. Serial No. 146,817.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE F. LAUGHLiN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brine-Retaining Valves for Refrigerator-Car Tanks, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as valves, for use on the brine tanks of refrigerator cars. Its use, however, is not necessarily confined to brine tanks, as it may be used wherever found applicable. The present device is in the nature of an improvement over the device illustrated in my pending application filed September 13, 1916, Serial No. 119,943. The requirements of a device of this kind and the results desired, together with the method of icing the brine tanks, is more or less described in my application mentioned, and in my prior Patent No. 1,127,460. It is therefore not considered necessary to reiterate all that is said therein. The present invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind that is simple, convenient, eflicient, durable and satisfactory, and one which may be inexpensively manufactured and installed, and which will not easily get out of order or be likely to be damaged in icing. It also has among its objects the production of an improved device in which upon removal of the trap door or plug at thevtop of the car, or as it may be termed the tank closure is removed,the valve will automatically open to discharge the brine and be automatically closed upon the vreplacing of the closure. The present improvement more particularly consists of a device in which the valve cannot in any way be injured by the icer in tamping the ice,'no r can ice or other obstructions get under the valve and prevent its closing. Neither can the ice in any way prevent the opening of the valve. Many other objects, advantages, 'uses and novel features of the construct-ion shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosureherein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like -or corresponding parts,

Figure l is a sectional view through a portion of a car, taken substantially on line 1, 1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and V Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred and improved embodiment ofthe invention is shown, 1 and 2 represent parts of the car structure, and 3 a removable trapdoor or plug arranged over the several brine tanks 4. It may be mentioned that the car may be equipped with any number of tanks of suitable material and size, and which may be arranged as desired and provided with the desired number of closures 3, which are removable for the purpose of icing the tanks. Ordinarily a drip or collecting pan 5 is arranged below the tanks, and the sameprovided with a drain pipe 6. I have not considered it necessary to illustrate the trap, nor any details of the car or pan 5. Ordinarily a number of tanks arranged as shown are provided, the tanks being spaced from each other, and I ordinarily prefer to place the valves on the walls'of the adjacent sides of two tanks, with the controlling mechanism arranged between the tanks. As most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, I also prefer to stagger the valves, and arrange thel controlling mechanism between, the same extending to adjacent the top of the car.

Inasmuch as the valve mechanisms for each tank are all similar, it will be necessary to describe but one. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the tank is provided with a discharge port or outlet 7 above the bottom in one of the lside walls, the same being of the desired size and shape. Over the port I preferably arrange a perforated plate 8, or an equivalent screening member. Arran ed on the exterior of the tank isa valve casing consisting of the, side and top walls 9 and a bottom wall 10, which is provided with an outlet port 11. The casing is so affixed to the tank that all brine discharged through the port 7 must pass through the port 11. The passage of the brine through the port 11, however, is controlled by a valve 12, which is preferably formed withv a stem consisting ofthe parts 15 and larranged to engage the port opening walls and guide the valve, and yet permit the escape of. the brine past the same when the valve 12 is raised. The stem also holds theV gasket or washer under the valve in place. As will be noted the part of thevstem extends downwardly, and is provided with an opening through the same through which projects an arm 18 on a part 17, the part 17 as shown being provided with two arms 18, one arranged to control the valve at one tank and the other valve at the adjacent tank, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The part 17 ismounted on a controlling rod 19, the upper end 20 of which extends through a part 21 of the car structure. A nut 20 is arranged at the lower end of the rod 19,and arranged to engage with the part 17. Any equivalent for the nut 20 may be employed, but the same is preferable so that the same maybe adjusted so as to vary the adjustment of the parts and operation of the valves. The part 17 may substantially rock on the rod 19, and in case one of the valves does not set, the other valve would not be affected thereby, and consequently one tank would retain its brine, although in" the case mentioned the same might leak out of one. However, owing to the simplicity of the construction, failure of a valve to operate is remote.

Carried by the part 21 of the car structure is a bracket 23. An arm or lever 24 is pivotallyfsecured at 25 to the bracket 23, and is arranged with an extended or forked end 26 to engage the shoulders 22 on the rod 19. Obviously, any equivalent construction might be employed. The arm 24 is also preferably provided with a suitable counterweight 27. If desired the tanks may be provided with hand holes normally covered 4 by the closures 28.

The operation of the device may be briefiy explained as follows: Assuming that the parts are as shown in the figures, with the closures 3 in place, it will be noted that the y valves 12vare both shut, the same being maintained shut, both by the pressure of the brine Within the tanks as well as by the weights of the part 17 and valves. On reaching the icing station the icer removes the plug or .closure 3 to inspect the tank, and if necessary, to re-fill the same with ice, or' add salt or lits equivalent. Upon removing the closure, however, the arm 24 and counterweight 27 tend to immediately raise the rod Y 19, and this through the part 17 and arms 18, raises the valves 12. If a slight space is left between the nut 2O or part 1 as shown in `the drawings, an initial movement of the rod 19 will be permitted so that the same will tend to suddenly open the valves 12, and easily overcome the pressure of the brine upon them, and permit the brine to escape. In replacing the plug, the sticking ofeither or .both valves would not prevent a Aproper seating ofthe plug. The tank may beicedwhile the same is draining, and it .will .hele-@ted that theieers @en jam Or temp ing their opening or shutting. After the tank has been iced the closure 3 may be positioned, and this will force the rod 19 downward, so that the part 17 and pressure of the brine will automatically close the valves, preventing the escape of any more of the brine. As mentioned, there is no chance for ice or other obstructions to get under the valves and prevent their shutting. Obviously, the valves will be automatically opened upon removing the closure 3, and be automatically closed upon placing the closure back in operative position.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without4 departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and uses mentioned. v

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a brine tank provided with an outwardly projecting part having a discharge outlet, a vertically movable valve for said outlet disposed in said part on the outside of the tank, and arranged to control the same, means for controlling the operation of said valve, coinprising a rod, connecting means between said rod and valve, said connecting means and valve loosely connected together and melans for controlling the operation of said roc 2. In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of tanks, each provided with a discharge port, with a screen arranged over each discharge port and substantially Hush with the inner wall of the tank, a chambered part arranged on the exterior of the tank at said port and provided with a discharge outlet in the bottom, a vertically movable valve arranged within said part at the exterior of the tank for controlling the passage of Huid through said port, and means for controlling said valve.

3. In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a brine tank having an outlet in one of the walls thereof, a closure for said tank, a valve vertically movable for said outlet, said valve arranged to control the discharge of the brine through said outlet, means for straining the brine before reaching the valve, lifting means for said valve comprising a rod arranged at the yexterior of the tank and loosely connected toV the valve, a coperating partarranged to valve, and a closure arranged to coperate with said rod and controlling the operation thereof.

4. In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a brine tank, a closure therefor suitably carried thereabove, said tank having a discharge port in one of the walls thereof, a valve for preventing the passage of fluid through said port when the tank closure is in operative position, said valve arranged at the exterior of the body of the tank, controlling means for said valve arranged to coperate with said closure, whereby the seating of the closure automatically causes a seating of the valve.

5. A refrigerator car of the kind described, comprising the combination of a brine tank of suitable size and shape, and having a discharge port in one of the sides, a chambered part disposed on the exterior of the tank adjacent said port and in communication therewith, a straining member interposed in the path of iiuid passing from the tank to said chambered part, said part provided with a discharge outlet at the exterior of the tank, a controlling valve for said outlet, and means for lifting said valve to its open position.

6. A refrigerator car of 'the kind de` scribed, comprising the combination of a brine tank of suitable size and shape, and having a discharge port in one of the sides, a chambered part disposed on the exterior of the tank adjacent said port and in communication therewith, a straining member interposed in the path of iuid passing from the tank to said chambered part, said part provided with a discharge outlet on its under side at the exterior of the tank, a controlling valve for said outlet arranged in said chambered part, and means for controlling said valve, comprising a rod, an arm carried by said rod and connected with saidd valve, and means for actuating said ro 7 In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a pair of brine tanks, arranged with their adjacent sides in proximity to each other, with a space therebetween, a closure for said tanks carried by the car structure, said tanks having discharge ports in their adjacent sides, a valve casing arranged on the exterior of each of the tanks at said ports and open thereto, said casings having outlets. in the walls thereof, valves for controlling the passage of brine through said discharge ports and outlets, actuating means for said valves including a rod operatively connected therewith, arranged to coperate with said closure, and controlling means for the rod.

8. In a refrigerator car of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of tanks each provided with a discharge outlet in one of the side walls thereof above the bottom of the tank, a valve disposed at the exterior of each tank and arranged to control the passage of fluid through each of said outlets, means for straining the fluid before reaching said valves, and means in common to a plurality of valves for controlling the operation of the valves, comprising a rod, means for operatively connecting the rod and valves, and means for actuating said rod to open the valves.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE F. LAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

ROY W. HILL, CHARLES I. COBB. 

